OAP, 84, ‘Neglected By Nursing Home Staff’

AN 84-year-old woman who suffered from schizophrenia and dementia and needed constant care died after being neglected by nursing home staff, a court heard today.

Gladys Thomas, was taken to hospital with a broken rib, broken collar bone and extensive chest bruising and died just days later, Newport Crown Court was told.

And Prosecutor Gerard Elias QC said there was evidence Miss Thomas had been forcibly restrained with a ligature before paramedics arrived.

Eight staff of the Bryngwyn Mountleigh care home in Newbridge, South Wales, this morning went on trial accused of neglecting Miss Thomas during her time at the home between September and October 2005.

Mr Elias told the jury, “The prosecution says that the evidence indicates these defendants had significant contact with Miss Thomas such that he or she must have been aware of her condition and didn’t record it or do anything adequate to deal with it – or if not aware of her condition, wasn’t doing his or her job properly because that individual should have seen the condition she was in and taken necessary action.”

A paramedic who was called to the care home on October 21, 2005, because staff said Miss Thomas had breathing difficulties noticed bruising and believed the original complaint was inconsistent with Miss Thomas’s condition, the court was told.

Mr Elias said, “Gladys Thomas must have been in great pain as a result of the fractured collar bone.

“Ligature marks seen by the paramedics were as if a ligature was attacked to her arm, probably for the purpose of detaining or restraining her to a chain or bed.”

The Barrister added, “She wasn’t properly and constantly supervised as appropriate. She wasn’t given adequate assistance for all her daily needs.”

Defendants Evan Green, 35, of Gaynors, Fairwater, Cwmbran; John Ajewole, 53, of Victoria Terrace, Newbridge; Ebenezer Ajiwe, 48, of Woodland Terrace, Abercarn; Peter Booth, 35, of Pen y Van Close, Newbridge; Tahir Hayat, 30, of Coldra Road, Newport; Angela Johnson, 37, of Hector Avenue, Crumlin; Shibu Joseph, 32, of Gaer Park Drive, Newport; Debra Richards, 45, Brynawel, Bedwas, Nr Caerphilly all deny charges of neglect.

The trial continues.